What is the State Meal Program?

The State Meal Program is a child nutrition program funded by
the State of California. The program provides money to public
school districts and county superintendents of schools that serve
nutritious meals, free or at a reduced price, to needy children,
in compliance with state law. The Program is administered by the
California Department of Education (CDE), Nutrition Services Division.

Why is there a State
Meal Program?

California Education Code Section 49550 (which resulted from
the enactment of Senate Bill 120, Chapter 1277/1975, Child Nutrition
Facilities Act of 1975) requires all public school districts and
county superintendents of schools to make available, free or at
a reduced price, one nutritionally adequate meal to each needy
student every school day. A needy student is one who qualifies
for free or reduced price meals, according to specified family
size and income standards. This requirement is commonly referred
to as the "state meal mandate."

Senate Bill 120 also established the State
Meal Program to provide schools with financial support to help
defray the cost of providing these meals. It should be noted that,
although all public schools are required to comply with the state
meal mandate, receipt of state funding is optional.

What are school districts
and county superintendents of schools required to do?

Free or reduced price nutritionally adequate meals must be made
available to those children who qualify for such benefits. These
meals must be made available in such a way that it is not readily
apparent that children are receiving free or reduced price meals.
Records must be kept to document that nutritionally adequate meals
are made available to the needy students. These records include:

Applications submitted by families for free and reduced price
meals, by school.

The number of meals served each day, by school and by category
(free and reduced price).

Meal production records and inventory records that document
the amounts and types of food used.

How can school districts
and county superintendents of schools get paid for providing nutritionally
adequate meals?

As previously stated, all school districts and county superintendents
of schools must comply with the state meal mandate.
Reimbursement for providing nutritionally adequate meals
may be obtained through either the National School Lunch Program
or the State Meal Program. Participation in either program is
optional.

In order to be reimbursed under the National
School Lunch Program, a school must make nutritionally adequate
meals available to all students (not just to needy students).

Schools choosing to make nutritionally adequate meals available
only to needy students may participate in and be reimbursed
under the State Meal Program. (Please note that reimbursement
is substantially higher under the National School Lunch Program.)
Please see our Rates, Eligibility Scales, and Funding page for the current rates.

At the end of the school year, school districts and county superintendents
of schools that participate in the State Meal Program submit a reimbursement
claim form, available on the CDE fiscal Nutrition Services-School Nutrition Program Web page, to the CDE. After the Department
reviews the form, the claim is sent to the State Controller's
Office, where the check is issued. Agencies typically receive
reimbursement within four to six weeks after submitting the reimbursement
claim form.

What type of assistance
is available?

Nutritionists and program staff from the CDE are available to provide technical assistance and
guidance on how to comply with the state meal mandate and how
to obtain reimbursement through the State Meal Program. Assistance
is available on such topics as menu planning, proper food storage
and preparation, record keeping and reporting, and clarifying
federal and state regulations.

Whom do we contact?

Please see the county list of School Nutrition Programs (SNP) specialists in the Download Forms section of the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS). You may also contact the SNP Unit Secretary by phone at 916-322-1450.